Since his 2018 breakout hit ‘Jealous’, Fireboy DML has built a reputation as one of Afropop’s most unique storytellers.
That same quality shines through in his latest collaboration with long-time ally Philip Kayode, aka Pheelz, on the EP ‘Peace by Piece’, a project that skips the noise and shows how powerful, subtle, and sincere music can be.
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Released on Friday, ‘Peace by Piece’ thrives on the chemistry between Fireboy’s emotive voice and Pheelz’s production instincts. Pheelz, known for building gentle but powerful soundscapes, gives Fireboy the space to sing, sigh, and pour out his emotions without being overshadowed. The EP’s title frames that union: the “peace” is earned piece by piece.
‘Peace by Piece’ is a five-track 13-minute Extended Play (EP) work produced collaboratively by YBNL / EMPIRE. The EP debuted/peaked inside the Top 5 on Apple Music’s Nigeria Top Albums chart (Top Albums placements in the days after release).
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Track-by-track
1. On a Kentro (feat. L.A.X) (2:41)
This track sets the tune for the entire EP. With its gentle midtempo rhythm, this track feels like Fireboy is offering a prayer. L.A.X’s verse adds depth to the song without losing touch with the central theme and tune. The entire lyrics reflect a quest for inner peace.
2. Gozi (2:55)
“Gozi” shifts the EP into a smoother, more rhythmic register. The sound production leans on an amapiano tune but synergises with the underneath Igbo catchphrase “ O gozi rim ma gozi.” This track is the groove that creeps.
3. Shake(2:22)
If you expected a chest-out club banger, Shake misleads and then rewards you. Pheelz introduces disco pulses and a darker groove. Fireboy’s delivery here is less confessional and more flirtatious: a track built to move bodies in small, knowing circles rather than stadiums. This track could be described as disco undertow, club restraint.
4. Young Again (2:42)
This is the EP’s effusive centre: jaunty phrasing, an elastic melody, and a lyric that leans into promising lyrics. This track could throw listeners into a solo celebratory mood.
5. ILWY (2:51)
This track provides a love confessional that closes the door gently. It brings the listener back to the intimate tune the initial traki cks set. The EP ends not with a bang but with a soft settle.
Review
Fireboy’s performance here is subtle and controlled. There’s also a tonal range: ceremony (On a Kentro), flirt (Shake), nostalgia (Young Again), and domestic tenderness (ILWY).
In its best parts, ‘Peace by Piece’ reminds you why Fireboy rose to prominence: that blend of heart and melody. Here, he seems more centred, more precise.
ALSO READ: ALBUM REVIEW: In ‘Adedamola’ album, Fireboy DML delivers raw emotional artistry
The emotional intimacy achieved is rare: there are no bombastic hooks, no overblown choruses. The EP more often chooses soft tunes rather than loud bangers.
However, the soft approach sometimes threatens monotony; some tracks feel interchangeable unless closely dissected. A bolder contrast, a sharper beat, a sudden lift, might have punctuated the rhythm more dramatically.
In an Afropop scene dominated by high-energy bangers, ‘Peace by Piece’ dares to be subtle. It’s not trying to storm the clubs or dominate TikTok trends. Instead, it leans into intimacy, groove, and emotion. For casual listeners or fans seeking high-energy bangers, the EP might feel too safe.
Verdict
7/10
‘Peace by Piece’ is currently streaming on Spotify
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